hrist taken in the garden. (1-12) Christ before Annas and
Caiaphas. (13-27) Christ before Pilate. (28-40)
Verses 1-12: Sin began in the garden of Eden, there the curse was
pronounced, there the Redeemer was promised; and in a garden
that promised Seed entered into conflict with the old serpent.
Christ was buried also in a garden. Let us, when we walk in our
gardens, take occasion from thence to mediate on Christ's
sufferings in a garden. Our Lord Jesus, knowing all things that
should come upon him, went forth and asked, Whom seek ye? When
the people would have forced him to a crown, he withdrew, ch.
(6:15), but when they came to force him to a cross, he offered
himself; for he came into this world to suffer, and went to the
other world to reign. He showed plainly what he could have done;
when he struck them down he could have struck them dead, but he
would not do so. It must have been the effect of Divine power,
that the officers and soldiers let the disciples go away
quietly, after the resistance which had been offered. Christ set
us an example of meekness in sufferings, and a pattern of
submission to God's will in every thing that concerns us. It is
but a cup, a small matter. It is a cup that is given us;
sufferings are gifts. It is given us by a Father, who has a
father's authority, and does us no wrong; a father's affection,
and means us no hurt. From the example of our Saviour we should
learn how to receive our lighter afflictions, and to ask
ourselves whether we ought to oppose our Father's will, or to
distrust his love. We were bound with the cords of our
iniquities, with the yoke of our transgressions. Christ, being
made a sin-offering for us, to free us from those bonds, himself
submitted to be bound for us. To his bonds we owe our liberty;
thus the Son makes us free.
Verses 13-27: Simon Peter denied his Master. The particulars have been
noticed in the remarks on the other Gospels. The beginning of
sin is as the letting forth of water. The sin of lying is a
fruitful sin; one lie needs another to support it, and that
another. If a call to expose ourselves to danger be clear, we
may hope God will enable us to honour him; if it be not, we may
fear that God will leave us to shame ourselves. They said
nothing concerning the miracles of Jesus, by which he had done
so much good, and which proved his doctrine. Thus the enemies of
Christ, whilst they quarrel with his truth, wilfully shut their
eyes against it. He appeals to those who heard him. The doctrine
of Christ may safely appeal to all that know it, and those who
judge in truth bear witness to it. Our resentment of injuries
must never be passionate. He reasoned with the man that did him
the injury, and so may we.
Verses 28-32: It was unjust to put one to death who had done so much
good, therefore the Jews were willing to save themselves from
reproach. Many fear the scandal of an ill thing, more than the
sin of it. Christ had said he should be delivered to the
Gentiles, and they should put him to death; hereby that saying
was fulfilled. He had said that he should be crucified, lifted
up. If the Jews had judged him by their law, he had been stoned;
crucifying never was used among the Jews. It is determined
concerning us, though not discovered to us, what death we shall
die: this should free us from disquiet about that matter. Lord,
what, when, and how, thou hast appointed.
Verses 33-40: Art thou the King of the Jews? that King of the Jews who
has been so long expected? Messiah the Prince; art thou he? Dost
thou call thyself so, and wouldest thou be thought so? Christ
answered this question with another; not for evasion, but that
Pilate might consider what he did. He never took upon him any
earthly power, never were any traitorous principles or practices
laid to him. Christ gave an account of the nature of his
kingdom. Its nature is not worldly; it is a kingdom within men,
set up in their hearts and consciences; its riches spiritual,
its power spiritual, and it glory within. Its supports are not
worldly; its weapons are spiritual; it needed not, nor used,
force to maintain and advance it, nor opposed any kingdom but
that of sin and Satan. Its object and design are not worldly.
When Christ said, I am the Truth, he said, in effect, I am a
King. He conquers by the convincing evidence of truth; he rules
by the commanding power of truth. The subjects of this kingdom
are those that are of the truth. Pilate put a good question, he
said, What is truth? When we search the Scriptures, and attend
the ministry of the word, it must be with this inquiry, What is
truth? and with this prayer, Lead me in thy truth; into all
truth. But many put this question, who have not patience to
preserve in their search after truth; or not humility enough to
receive it. By this solemn declaration of Christ's innocence, it
appears, that though the Lord Jesus was treated as the worst of
evil-doers, he never deserved such treatment. But it unfolds the
design of his death; that he died as a Sacrifice for our sins.
Pilate was willing to please all sides; and was governed more by
worldly wisdom than by the rules of justice. Sin is a robber,
yet is foolishly chosen by many rather than Christ, who would
truly enrich us. Let us endeavour to make our accusers ashamed
as Christ did; and let us beware of crucifying Christ afresh.
hrist taken in the garden. (1-12) Christ before Annas and
Caiaphas. (13-27) Christ before Pilate. (28-40)